Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ECMO Learning Package
ECMO Learning Package
February 2016
Liverpool Hospital Intensive Care: Learning Packages Intensive Care Unit
ECMO Learning Package
CONTENTS
Anatomy 3
ECMO Definition 5
Indications / Contraindications 6
ECMO Equipment 7
Cannulation 12
Types of ECMO 14
Management 19
Nursing management 22
Complications / Troubleshooting 26
Learning Activities 34
Reference List 35
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ANATOMY5,8
Carries deoxygenated blood from the veins from the upper body then into
right atrium
Aorta
Pulmonary artery
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ECMO is a form of extracorpeal life support where an external artificial circulator carries
venous blood from the patient to a gas exchange device (oxygenator) where blood becomes
enriched with oxygen and has carbon dioxide removed. This blood then re-enters the
patient’s circulation.
Circuit flow is achieved using a pump either centrifugal or a roller pump.
Patients who are hypoxaemic despite maximal conventional ventilatory support, who have
significant ventilator-induced lung injury or who are in cardiogenic shock may be considered
for ECMO support. For respiratory failure, the basic premise is that ECMO will allow the level
of ventilatory support to be reduced, which may allow time for recovery from the underlying
pathology and recovery from ventilator-induced lung injury to occur.
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INDICATIONS1,2,7
ECMO is indicated for potentially reversible, life-threatening forms of respiratory and / or
cardiac failure, which are unresponsive to conventional therapy and it, is always applied at
the discretion of the managing intensivist or cardiac surgeon.
Respiratory failure
ALI/ARDS
Aspiration
Pneumonia
Asthma
Post lung transplant
Lung contusion
Cardiac Failure
Post cardiac arrest
Pulmonary embolus
Drug overdose
Post cardiac surgery
Bridge to transplant
Post heart transplant
Cardiogenic shock
CONTRAINDICATIONS
1,2,7
Absolute Contraindications
Severe irreversible neurological condition
Encephalopathy
Cirrhosis with ascites
History of variceal bleeding
Moderate-severe chronic lung disease
Terminal malignancy
HIV
Relative Contraindications1,2,7
Age >65
Multiple trauma with uncontrolled haemorrhage
Multi-organ failure
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ECMO EQUIPMENT1,2
Perfusion Services are responsible for providing an ECMO pump and a primed circuit when
ECMO is initiated in the ICU. They should be contacted as early as possible after the
decision to commence ECMO is made. In and out of hours, the cardiothoracic team on call is
brought in to establish ECMO (including the medical perfusionist), details of the on-call staff
are kept in ICU, and with the hospital switchboard. A spare ECMO circuit for exchange in the
event of pump failure is available in the theatre pump room.
Circuit priming and preparation are performed exclusively by Perfusion Services and
equipment for this function is stored in Theatre. Perfusion staff provides 24 hours
emergency cover for this role.
ECMO pack
1x 1L crystalloid
2x tubing clamps
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OXYGENATOR &
HAND CRANK
HEATER / COOLER
Oxygenator
The oxygenator has a semi permeable membrane
Blood flows across one side while a “sweep” gas 100% O2 moves in opposite
direction
The higher the gas flow rate the more CO2 is removed
Sensor
Measures the flow
Needs cream applied to function. Wrap in cling –wrap
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Centrifugal Pump
The circuit flow is achieved using a pump: either centrifugal or a roller
Centrifugal is used for ECMO at Liverpool
The centrifugal pump has a priming volume of 32mls which reduces haemodilution
Rotaflow drive
The drive is what the pump sits in and the blood flow is measured in the pump outlet by
ultrasonic sensor
The sensor requires regular placement of cream to maintain function
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Pump Console
Provides the controls for pump blood flow rate and speed
Battery backup of 90 minutes
It can be incorporated into the bypass machine or stand alone mode
Modes
Alarm Silence
Power
Figure 6: Heater/cooler
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Pressure Monitoring1,2
Inflow and outflow pressures from the oxygenator reflect the performance of the oxygenator
The pre-membrane pressure is at a connector near the venous inlet of the oxygenator
The post membrane pressure is measured at the connector on the oxygenator’s arterial
outlet
These pressures are displayed on a separate monitor with the ECMO circuit
The difference between the pre and post membrane pressure gives you the trans-
membrane pressure gradient.
An increase in the trans-membrane pressure gradient may indicate clot formation within the
oxygenator
Pre membrane
pressure outlet
Post membrane
pressure outlet
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CANNULATION4,6,7
There are three ways of accessing the major vessels for ECMO:
Surgical central cannulation
Surgical peripheral cannulation
Percutaneous cannulation
Sites
Venous cannulation sites include the internal jugular veins, femoral veins and the right
atrium.
Arterial cannulation sites are the carotid arteries, femoral arteries and the aorta.
Sizes
Range in size from 16F -23F
Anti-coagulate patient prior to insertion
Percutaneous preferable to cut down to minimise bleeding
TOE utilised to confirm correct placement in IVC
Positioning of Cannulae
V-V ECMO
Access cannula:
For femoral insertion, use TOE (Trans Oesophageal ECHO) to confirm that the wire is in
the IVC, position the cannula tip in the IVC below the level of the diaphragm; (~35-40 cm
in an adult);
Use the Avalon introducer kit to dilate the vessel to about 1 size below the cannula
gauge; the tips of the femoral return and access lines should be separated by about 10cm
to avoid recirculation
If high flow rates are required, a second access line is inserted in the SVC, via the right
internal jugular vein; use ultrasound to assess the diameter of the IJV and to confirm that
the wire is in the IJV and SVC; insert the cannula ~15 cm
Return cannula:
Use TOE to confirm that the wire is in the IVC and to position the cannula tip at the
IVC/RA junction
Avalon cannula:
Maximum flow from the largest (31F) catheter is 5 Lpm
Consider for any patient up to 90 kg
Ensure that the right IJV is patent
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Use the Avalon introducer kit, during serial dilation of the vein and during
final cannula placement
With TOE or TTE (Trans Thoracic ECHO), ensure that the guidewire remains well inside
the IVC at all times, to minimise the risk of cardiac perforation
The final position of the cannula should be at least 3cm into the IVC
ensure that the return jet is directed towards the tricuspid valve before
securing the cannula to the patient’s neck
V-A ECMO
Access cannula:
Femoral insertion, use TOE to confirm that the wire is in the IVC and to position the
cannula tip in the RA
Return cannula:
The arterial (short) cannula should be fully inserted to the length of the cannula
Backflow cannula:
Used to prevent ischemia occurring distally to the arterial cannulation site in peripheral V-
A ECMO
Inserted in the artery distal to the ECMO cannulation site
Connected to the luer connector on the arterial cannula by a piece of extension tubing
Should be inserted and connected at the time of cannulation, or as soon as practical later
After arrival in ICU, the ultrasonic flow probe should be used to confirm that there is flow
in the extension tubing
Access Cannula
(Venous)
Return Cannula
(Arterial)
Tubing to backflow
cannula
Doppler examination of the blood flow in the back-flow cannula is indicated if deteriorating
leg perfusion is observed in the cannulated leg.
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TYPES OF ECMO4,6,7
There are two basic types which are described by the site of drainage & where the blood
returns
Veno-venous
Deoxygenated blood is drained from venous circulation into the ECMO circuit
Blood is oxygenated via the oxygenator and is returned to the right atrium
Drains from major vein & returns to a major vein
Supports only the lungs
Adequate circulation is provided by the native cardiac output
Veno-arterial
Deoxygenated blood is drained from venous circulation into the ECMO circuit
Passes through the oxygenator and is returned directly to the arterial
circulation
Drains from major vein & returns to major artery
Supports heart & lungs
It provides support for severe respiratory failure when no major cardiac dysfunction exists.
When flow through a single access cannula is insufficient to support the high ECMO flow
rate that may be required in severe respiratory failure, a second venous access cannula may
be required.
V–V ECMO improves the patient’s oxygenation by reducing the amount of blood that passes
through the lung without being oxygenated and in addition removes CO2 from the patient’s
blood.
This allows the level of ventilatory support to be reduced, which reduces ventilator-induced
lung injury.
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The efficiency of oxygenation by the ECMO circuit depends on the pump flow relative to the
patient’s cardiac output.
The patient’s oxygenation should increase with increasing ECMO flow rate, if this does not
occur, recirculation of blood between the inflow and outflow cannulae should be suspected
Return cannula
V-V ECMO is more efficient at removing CO2 from the blood than delivering oxygen.
The amount of CO2 removal depends on the ECMO flow rate relative to the patient’s cardiac
output and also depends on the oxygen flow rate (sweep gas) to the oxygenator.
Increasing oxygen flow rate decreases the CO2 in the blood leaving the oxygenator
(analogous to the effect that increasing minute ventilation has on arterial PCO2)
The oxygen flow rate (the sweep flow) to the oxygenator should be roughly twice the ECMO
flow rate. Eg: if the ECMO Flow rate is 3L, the oxygen flow rate shoud be 6L. With an ECMO
flow rate of approximately 2/3 the patient’s cardiac output, and an oxygen flow rate of twice
the pump flow, nearly all of the patient’s CO2 production can be removed by the oxygenator.
If the ECMO pump flow is low compared to patients cardiac output the arterial O2 will also be
low
Increasing the ECMO pump flow will increase the O2 in the mixed venous circulation &
therefore increase the arterial O2
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Providing ECMO pump flows equal to 66% of the patients cardiac output will achieve a
saturation of > 90% (Locker et al., 2003)
Common for patients on V-V ECMO to have PO2 in range of 55-90mmHg
In Summary
To remove CO2 increase the O2 sweep gas
To increase the p02 you increase the pump flow
VENO-ARTERIAL ECMO
Involves venous blood from the patient being accessed from the large central veins and
returned to a major artery after it has passed through the oxygenator.
It provides support for severe cardiac failure, (usually with associated respiratory failure),
most commonly after cardiac surgery
Access cannula
Return cannula
May be used at low rates (2-3L/min) to provide partial assistance or at high rate of 4-6L/min
to totally replace the patients cardiac output
All gas exchange is delivered directly to arterial circulation so PO2 levels 400-500mmHg can
be achieved
Changing flow rates will not affect arterial PO2 but will determine the patients cardiac output
ECMO circuit malfunctions will result in cardiac arrest as the ECMO flow rate is the patients
cardiac output
If peripheral cannulation is applied any residual native cardiac output passes through the
lungs. If the lungs are affected by disease or mechanical ventilation is insufficient the blood
of the residual cardiac output will remain hypoxic as it enters the systemic circulation
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Anatomically there is potential for this hypoxic blood will be delivered to the head, neck and
right arm.
Therefore any patient on peripheral V-A ECMO should have O2 saturations measured on the
forehead or right hand
Patients on V-A ECMO require adequate ventilation with FiO2 of at least 50%to reduce the
risk of coronary and cerebral hypoxia
Carbon dioxide removal is controlled by the sweep gas flow rates as in V-V ECMO, but if
there is some native cardiac output and the lungs are ventilated normally some CO2 will be
removed by the lungs
V-V V-A
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The access and return lines of the dialysis machine are attached to the ECMO circuit to the
two three-way taps between the outlet of the pump head and the oxygenator.
ACCESS:
Access line goes to the three way tap closet to the centrifugal pump
If pressure within ECMO circuit causes high pressure alarm in Prismaflex change access
pressure alarm in set up to positive. Always should select positive ACCESS Pressure for
ECMO and CRRT.
Centrifugal pump
CRRT
Access line
RETURN:
Return line is connected to three way tap closest to the oxygenator
3 way taps not to be flushed with any solution including sodium chloride
Betadine to wipe connections when disconnecting from ECMO
Oxygenator
Return line
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MANAGEMENT1,4,6,7
Commencement of ECMO:
Check ACT and ensure >200 seconds
Ensure oxygen line is connected to oxygenator. Gas flow should be commenced at a rate
equal to or greater than the anticipated circuit blood flow (usually 5-6L/min)
Clean loop is opened and handed to the cannulating physician
The circuit is cut between two clamps allowing sufficient length on the access line and
return line to prevent any tension on the circuit. Note the pump trolley is best kept at the
“feet” end of the patient’s bed (picture)
Circuit is connected to cannulae ensuring no air is introduced
Clamps removed as circuit flows are gradually increased
Target flow rates are determined by the cannulating Physician
For V-V ECMO target flows must provide adequate arterial oxygenation
For V-A ECMO target flows must provide adequate oxygen delivery
Check patient and circuit arterial blood gases
Reduce ventilator settings as indicated
Establish baseline anticoagulation sampling times.
Care of Equipment:
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Medical Staffing:
There is a medical perfusionist (a cardiac anaesthetist) and a pump technician available 24
hours for:
Initiation of ECMO
Priming of circuits
ECMO circuit maintenance and nursing support
Out of hours (1800 to 0800 weekdays and weekends), the medical perfusionist may be
contacted directly or via switchboard.
The ICU consultant is responsible for all medical decisions involving ECMO while the patient
is in ICU and must also be notified of any changes. They can be contacted 24 hours.
Respiratory Management
Once adequate ECMO flows have been established and the patient’s oxygenation has
improved, the level of ventilatory support is reduced.
ECMO flows less than 2litres for long periods should be avoided to prevent clots in circuit
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Line pressures:
Pre-membrane pressure <300mmHg
Trans membrane gradient normal <50mmHg if > 150mmhg consider circuit change
Temperature:
Normothermia, set heater cooler at 37degrees
The heater-cooler settings should only be altered by the perfusion staff unless the nurse
has been trained to do this. Should the patient become unexpectedly hypo- or
hyperthermic while on ECMO, the medical perfusionist on call must be contacted
immediately.
Anticoagulation:
Although the ECMO circuit has an anticoagulant lining, low-dose heparin is usually
administered to prevent clot formation
The ACT is usually used to titrate heparin infusion rate in the first 24 hours and is
measured 6 hourly over the first day. It is performed by the attending nurse, using 2 mls
of arterial or venous blood.
A usual target for ACT in the non-bleeding patient with platelet count > 80,000 is 140–
160.
Beyond 24 hours, the APTT performed in the Haematology lab is primarily used to guide
heparin therapy. It is performed 4 times per day and is routinely labelled as urgent to
ensure safe response times.
A usual target for APTT in the non -bleeding patient with platelet count > 80,000 is 45-
55sec.
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General management
Doppler examination of the blood flow in the back-flow cannula is indicated if deteriorating
leg perfusion is observed in the cannulated leg.
Antibiotics (IV vancomycin) to prevent line sepsis are commenced at the start of ECMO.
Other antibiotics are prescribed as indicated.
Stress ulcer prophylaxis is standard.
No procedure can be performed on a patient on ECMO without the consent of the ICU
consultant.
Protamine is contraindicated for patients on ECMO as it can cause serious circuit related
thrombosis
All changes to circuit flows, gas and blood, should be relayed to the medical perfusionist
via ICU Senior Registrar
All changes to circuit anticoagulation should be relayed to the medical perfusionist via
ICU Senior Registrar
Nursing Management1,4,6,7
Nursing responsibilities are to patient care. Responsibility for technical maintenance of the
ECMO circuit lies with the medical and technical perfusionists Liverpool Hospital.
Patient positioning and the safe performance of pressure area care are affected by
ECMO support.
Patients with ECMO support with an “open sternum” may not be rolled and require
alternate means of preventing pressure area care eg: KCI mattress. Daily chest x-rays
and other patient moves require a Jordan Frame and the presence of medical staff and/or
perfusionist to ensure no change in circuit flow result as a consequence of movement.
Other patients on ECMO support can be log-rolled and moved for chest x-rays. These
moves can be safely performed but require a designated staff member to ensure no
tension is transmitted to the cannulae and the circuit tubing is not kinked. This includes
patients with surgical grafts for femoral artery access but extra care is required to prevent
obstruction to ECMO flow at this site. Moves are scheduled between the hours of 0800
and 2000 and not during the night (unless there is an urgent patient need).
All moves are to be performed with medical staff knowledgeable in ECMO, immediately
available to assess any circuit changes that may occur.
Safety checks
ECMO plugged into blue power point
Hand crank near by
Secure oxygen flow to oxygenator
Check flow settings
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Hourly observations
Pump flow rate
ECMO observation chart Nursing ECMO observation chart must be maintained and
reviewed by the rostered medical perfusionist. Nursing staff can communicate any
difficulties with observations with the rostered perfusionist. This data will form part of the
medical record.
Haemodynamic observations
Continuously monitor patient and ECMO set for drop in BP/ CVP
Evidence of hypovolaemia in the form of fluctuating flow rates and ‘shaking’ of ECMO
tubes
Hypovolaemia (relative or absolute) may result in disrupted blood flow through the
circuit
Sucking down of the access cannula against the vessel wall may occur in
hypovolaemia potentially causing trauma to vessel endothelium and haemolysis
Blood flow through the ECMO circuit is essential for maintenance of gaseous
exchange, and also to maintaining haemodynamic stability
Patient temperature
Temperature measurement should be initiated and continuously monitored throughout
ECMO therapy via either blood thermister in the presence of a PiCCO/ PA catheter
To promote homeostasis, normal body temperature must be maintained, unless mild
hyperthermia is clinically desired
Continuous monitoring allows for early detection and therefore management of
temperature changes
Ventilation observations should be attended: mode, Fi02, Tidal volume, respiratory rate,
PEEP, pressure support, inspiratory time, plateau pressure.
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If patient needs to be moved a designated person must watch cannulae, tubing & flow
rates
Patient need to be Jordan framed. They can be log rolled if not contra- indicated.
Neurological and pupillary assessment must be attended hourly (they are at increased
risk of intracranial bleed).
Pain scores with CPOT (Critical Pain Observation Tool) and sedation scores with RASS
(Richmond Agitation Sedation Score) should be attended 2nd hourly. Daily sedation
vacations are attended to assess underlying neurological assessment.
TIME PUMP FLOW PUMP RPM INFLOW LINE OUTFLOW LINE PO2 IN
RATE PRESSURE PRESSURE OUTFLOW
(PRE) (POST) LINE
0100
0200
0300
0400
0500
0600
0700
0800
0900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
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Circuit Management:1,2,4
The Jostra Quadrox D oxygenator is remarkably robust and is capable of several weeks of
continuous function.
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It is important to ensure that the pump RPM rate is not too high for the maximum flow that
can be delivered (“over-spinning” the pump).
When the maximum pump flow rate has been attained (which is determined by the rate of
venous drainage in the access line), increasing the RPM further will increase the negative
pressure in the access line, producing ‘line-shake’ and increasing the risk of haemolysis.
“Over-spinning” of the pump is corrected by dropping the pump RPM until the flow rate
starts to drop.
Because the rate of venous drainage in the access line is variable, if the pump RPM is
constant and the venous drainage falls (eg. due to decreased preload), the pump will over-
spin and access flow limitation will start to occur.
Increased noise from the pump head may indicate that it is starting to fail. The other
indications for changing the pump head are the development of haemolysis (producing
haematuria and an increased plasma free haemoglobin) and large thrombus formation within
the pump head.
COMPLICATIONS / TROUBLESHOOTING1,2,4,7
VENO- VENOUS ECMO
Hypoxia
Check
Pump flow is > 2/3 pt cardiac output (e.g. CO 6l = 4l pump flow)
100% 02 to oxygenator
Check Oxygenator :outflow pO2>150mmHg
Management
Increase pump flow
Increase ventilation
Cool pt to 35deg
Muscle relaxants
Correct anaemia
Second access line to reduce shunt
Hypercarbia
Check
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Shunting/ Recirculation
Access & return cannulae too close may cause recirculation of blood, so Pump flow may not
improve oxygenation
Check
Pre membrane (venous) pO2 < 50mmHg
Management
Reposition access line
Hypercarbia
Check
Adequate pump flow > 2/3 CO
O2 to oxygenator is twice pump flow rate
Management
Increase pump flow rate
Increase ventilation
Cool pt
Paralysis pt
BLEEDING
Prevention is primary objective
ACT’s day 0; APTT 6hrly
Daily FBC, d-Dimer, fibrinogen
Anticoagulation management with heparin APTT 50-75 sec
If patient bleeding
Cease heparin. Heparin coated circuits can run for couple days without heparin
Investigate cause
Platelets, Cryoprecipitate, FFP, packed cells
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HAEMOLYSIS
Breakdown of RBC
Causes
Clot in the circuit or near cannulae orifice
Access & return insufficiency or obstruction
“over spinning” of pump speed
Signs
Red or dark brown urine
High K+
Renal failure
Jaundice (late sign)
Access line shaking due to changes in pressure
Management
Plasma free haemoglobin measured
Increase volume
Review pump flow settings
TOE to ensure cannulae not obstructed
Consider changing circuit
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Management
Optimise fluid status
Optimise preload afterload & contractility
Sedation & analgesia before pressure care etc
If complete “suck down” occurs decrease pump speed to reduce suction on catheter &
then turn up as to normal as smoothly & quickly as possible
Consider extra venous drainage cannulae
Sensor
EMERGENCY COMPLICATIONS1,2,4,7
Dramatic and life threatening that require immediate action
General rules
Call for help, Intensivist, CT surgeon, Perfusionist
Clamp
Ventilate, haemodynamic support
PUMP FAILURE
No flow due to electrical failure or pump head disengagement
If circuit stopped for any period clotting is possible
Prevention:
Always maintain the pump head in a position to minimise the risk of contact especially
with devices such as portable x-ray, haemofilter and TOE
Minimise time on battery
Ensure AC “Power Off” alarm is turned on when using wall power
Console not in use, needs to be plugged into AC power and “on Switch” turned on in
order to recharge battery
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V-V V-A
Management
Call for help
Ventilate & haemodynamic support
Electrical motor failure
▪ Clamp line & turn off pump
▪ If the cause is not immediately rectified, commence hand cranking till
new console arrives
▪ Re insert pump head
▪ Turn on pump to 1000 rpm & remove clamp
▪ Gradually increase rpm’s
Pump head disengaged
▪ Clamp line & decrease pump speed
▪ Re-insert pump head
▪ Turn on pump to 1000rpm & remove clamp
▪ Gradually increase rpm’s
Hand crank
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CARDIAC ARREST
Cessation of native cardiac function
V-V V-A
DECANNULATION
Accidental removal of access or return cannula
V-V V-A
Prevention:
Anchoring the cannulae to the patient
Use of a spotter to ensure that lines remain free during patient manoeuvres
Management
Call for help
Clamp circuit
Turn off pump
CPR
Establish ventilation & inotropic support
Volume
Peripheral: apply pressure
Central: prepare chest opening
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AIR EMBOLISM
Introduction of air into circuit through connections or cannulation sites
Massive embolus into the pump head will de-prime the pump with loss of ECMO support
Management
Clamp arterial return line
Stop pump
Patient head down
Increase ventilation & inotropes
Volume
If embolus entered patient arterial system (VA)
hypothermia’
Barbiturates, steroids, mannitol, lignocaine
If embolus entered venous system (VV)
Aspiration of right heart using existing lines
Circuit Management
Clamp circuit
Turn off pump
Ensure pump head outlet is at 12 o’clock position
Examine site for air & seal if possible
Further management requires perfusionist
CIRCUIT RUPTURE
This is the disruption of any part of the circuit
Massive blood loss
Haemodynamic collapse and hypoxaemia of varying severity (depending on underlying
cardiac and respiratory reserve)
Possible introduction of air into ECMO circuit
Fracture and breakdown of polycarbonate components after being cleaned with alcohol
Broken three way tap
Accidental cutting or puncturing of circuit tubing
Prevention:
Do not allow any part of the circuit to come into contact with alcohol or other organic
solvent such as volatile anaesthetic
Allocated person to act as “spotter” to ensure that three way taps are not snagged on
anything during patient manoeuvres
Care with needles and instruments near tubing
Management:
Clamp the circuit on either side of the circuit disruption
Call for help. Contact perfusion services and ICU consultant
Assign roles for concurrent patient and circuit management
Increase the ventilator settings and inotropes to compensate for loss of support.
Give volume to replace blood loss
If fractured three way tap: if possible place sterile gloved finger over leak
Connection change
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WEANING ECMO1,2,4,7
Decision made by consultants & CT surgeons
V-V V-A
Removal of cannulae:
Removal of arterial ECMO cannulae should always be removed as an “open” surgical
procedure and be accompanied with the vessel wall repair.
Venous cannula can be removed and pressure applied to the site for 20 minutes.
Post-decannulation Doppler:
Lower limb venous Doppler studies should be performed following decannulation- as
prolonged femoral venous cannulation promotes distal DVT formation.
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ECMO Learning Package
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. Define ECMO
6. What is V-V ECMO more efficient at doing and how does it remove C02?
7. How much oxygen should be delivered to the oxygenator and what should it be set at
8. What should the ECMO flow rate be set at for V-V ECMO?
9. Where are the access and return lines for CVVHDF connected on the ECMO circuit?
10. What are the safety checks that need to be performed for a patient on ECMO?
11. Why are the pre and post membrane pressures continuously monitored?
14. Why should oxygen saturation be measured on the patient’s right hand or forehead
for V- A ECMO?
15. What does the “SIG” alarm on the pump console signify and how do you rectify the
alarm?
16. What is the management for cardiac arrest for V-A and V-V ECMO?
17. Describe the process for weaning V-V and V-A ECMO.
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ECMO Learning Package
REFERENCE LIST
1. Adult Extra Corporeal membrane Oxygenation (ECMO); Policy & Guideline. RPAH 2010
2. Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in the Intensive Care Unit. St Vincent’s Hospital
Sydney ICU 2010
3. European Heart Journal, Vol 26 issue 20. Favourable clinical outcome in patients with cardiogenic
shock due to fulminant myocarditis supported by percutaneous extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation
4. Gaffney, A.M., Wildhirt, S.M., Griffin, M.J., Annich, G.M. & Randomski, M.W. (2010).
Extracorporeal life support. BMJ, 341:982-986.
th
5. Guyton, AC & Hall, JE 2010, Textbook of Medical Physiology, 12 edition, W.B. Saunders
Company, Philadelphia
6. Luo, X., Wang, W., Hu, S., Sun, H., Gao, H., Long, C., Song, Y., & Xu, J. (2009). Extracorporeal
membrane oxygenation for treatment of cardiac failure in adult patients. Interactive CardioVascular
and Thoracic Surgery, 9: 296-300.
7. Marasco, S.F., Lukas, G., McDonald, M., McMillan, J., & Ihle, B. (2008). Review of ECMO (Extra
Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support in critically ill adult patients. Heart, Lung and
Circulation, 17S: S41-S47.
th
8. Tortora, G. & Grabowski, S.R., 2003, Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 10 ed, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc, New York.
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